What do we have to be thankful for?
Brian Reid, Oct 7, 2007

I have 2 questions for you.
What is Thanksgiving?
What do we really have to be thankful for?

Well, God grants to us many blessings:
Joy and peace
A Bountiful harvest
A living & our livelihood
Love and compassion
Health and happiness
Children and grandchildren (x2)

So, is the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron, who was Israel’s first High Priest of God. Zechariah was a Jewish Priest; one of many.

In Israel society, a woman’s valve was largely measured by her ability to bear children. To be without children, often led to personal hardship and public shame. For Elizabeth (and Zechariah too), a childless old age was a painful and lonely time; but, through it all, both remain faithful to God.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, didn’t merely go through the motions in following God’s laws; they backed up their outward compliance, with an inward obedience.

They not only “talked the talk” but “walked the walk.”

Unlike many hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop at the “letter of the law;” their obedience was from the heart – and that is why they were called “righteous in God’s eyes.” For, God knew the source of their passion.

Even with this commitment to God’s laws, what did Zechariah and Elizabeth have, to be thankful for?

And us, what is it that we should be thankful for?

Let’s found out!

Zechariah, was a Minister of God, who worked at the Temple; managing its upkeep, teaching the people the scriptures, and directing the worship services. At this point in history, there were over 20,000 priests through the country/kingdom of Israel. Far too many, to minister the one Temple of God in Jerusalem.

Therefore, according to David’s instructions, as outlined in 1 Chronicles 24, the priests were divided into smaller groups of about 1,000 priests each. Each group of priests, served two-week shifts, each year, at the house of the Lord. The rest of the time they served in their hometowns.

Let’s analyze this.
Out of, over 20,000 priests and 24 groups, Zechariah’s group was on duty.

Then, out of the 1000 priests in his group, Zechariah was chosen as 1 of the many, who were assigned tasks that day. And out of all those who were on duty that particular day, when lots were cast, Zechariah was chosen to enter, where very few ever stood – perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For, Zechariah was chosen to enter the Holy Place.

The Temple of God, at Jerusalem, was arranged something like this; an outer/great courtyard with high walls, inside these walls was the upper/inner courtyard, inside these walls – was the inner sanctuary, with 2 smaller rooms.

One room, The Holy Place is where The Alter was, where sacrifices were carried out, where candles and incenses were burned, and the elements for Communion were prepared. Off of this room, were a number of chambers – where the priests (on duty) stayed, slept, and rested.

But, most importantly, the very inner being of God’s Temple, was the Holy of Holies, The Most Holy Place. This is where The Ark of the Covenant was kept, and within it, contained The Law written on two stone tablets; and The Ark was where God’s presence dwelt.

On this particular and special day, Zechariah was within, mere feet, of God’s Holy presence.

Twice, daily, a priest would enter the Holy Place, in the temple and burn incense.
When the people saw the smoke from the burning incense, the people knew it was time to pray. The smoke drifted heavenward, symbolizing their prayers ascending to God’s heavenly throne.

Today, when we pray, it is much the same; we fall to our knees, bow our heads - and communicate with God - then, we look up, towards that same heavenly throne.

But, it was not by chance that Zechariah was there; for God was guiding the events of that special day. For, Zechariah was chosen by God, to play a very important part in history; that would prepare the way for Jesus to come to earth; and God chose that day, to send His message.

It was during the burning of the incense, that Zechariah was praying; and an angel of the lord appeared and said;

Luke1:13

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord.

He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah.
He will prepare the people, for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent, and unable to speak, until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”


Zechariah returned home, excited, but speechless. And, what a wonderful surprise he had for his wife. Their faded dream, would become an exciting reality.

Soon Elizabeth became pregnant, and she knew her child was a “long, hoped-for” gift from God.

The Lord heard the prayers of Zechariah and Elizabeth; and He hears your prayers as well; the spoken, and the unspoken.

Do you have faded dreams? Do you have something, “long, hoped-for?”
God can make you hopes and dreams, become an exciting reality; if only you believe.

Our story continues.

“When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So, they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”

Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.”


John the Baptist’s birth, was made possible by a miraculous intervention by the power of the Almighty. God’s face shown upon Elizabeth and Zechariah; in their old age. God rewarded their commitment and righteousness; and blessed them with a son. A son who would prepare the way, for God’s own Son; the Messiah, our Savior.
Again, I ask;
What did Zechariah and Elizabeth have to be thankful for?

Elizabeth and Zechariah were very thankful that God redeemed them, in the eyes of Israelite society; by granted then a son. It was because of their obedience and commitment, that God found them to be righteous; and a son was given.

“Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happen spread throughout the Judean Hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked; ‘I wonder what this child will turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him, in a special way.

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.

Now, we will be saved from our enemies, and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant - the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor, Abraham.


We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness, for as long as we live.

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people, how to find salvation, through forgiveness of their sins.”


For, John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus; and Jesus prepared the way for our salvation – through His death upon the cross – to which we should be most thankful.

Our thankfulness (today) is based upon the salvation, that John the Baptist spoke of. That salvation is found in Jesus Christ. That cleansing of our sins was accomplished by the atonement of Christ – upon the cross.

“For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but, that the world might be saved through Him.”

“Thanks be to God, for His indescribable gift!”

Communion is a thankful remembrance of Christ’s death. For John, was born to make ready, the coming of the Messiah, Jesus; who would die upon the cross, so we may live – forever.